GM Scraps Volt Powertrain - Next Gen To Only Share 1 Part With Original

General Motors is upsizing the engine for its next-generation Chevrolet Volt, but overall the plug-in hybrid’s powertrain package will get smaller and more efficient thanks to an aggressive re-engineering of what already was a groundbreaking system when launched five years ago.

“We took a clean sheet to Gen II – do it over, do it better,” Larry Nitz, executive director-transmission and electrification, says during a media backgrounder here this week at the plant that will build the Volt’s transmission. “I can’t think of any other product (at GM) where we had a complete re-do in five years.”
 

Terry989 - 10/30/2014 7:17:23 PM

+5 Boost

Lower weight, longer range under battery alone, quieter engine under recharge, more torque, and a much improved acceleration time. Bravo to GM for not cutting corners and just reuse the existing drive train.

W208 - 10/30/2014 8:52:08 PM

-1 Boost

Kinda like when they chose to correct the known ignition issue, right?

If you think for a second they're not going to reuse a lot of existing tech to save a dime, especially considering the sh*t they're in right now, I'll have what you're smoking.

MDarringer - 10/30/2014 8:48:01 PM

-1 Boost

Yeah, yeah, yeah...we've heard the "it only shares one bolt in common" bullspit before.

kysrsoze1 - 10/31/2014 1:36:33 AM

+4 Boost

My neighbors have one and love it. We rode in it. It was very smooth and a nice car to ride around in. The navigation system sucks though. It wasn't a barn-burner, of course, but way less embarrassing than a Prius. She commutes to work every day, and literally goes about 3 weeks between fill-ups. Glad they're just scrapping the drivetrain and not the concept - it's brilliant.

vdiv - 10/31/2014 10:06:50 AM

+2 Boost

I am very surprised they are scrapping the Japanese made 4ET50 electric transaxle for a new one (5ET50) as it was one of the best aspects of the Volt. The new one is supposed to be simpler, more efficient, with better performance, and integrated with the power inverters. Simpler, even though it has 5 operating modes (the current one has 4). Will have to wait for more details on how it works.